OUTBURST: Larsson insists his tirade of abuse was directed at the fourth official, and not his manager [GETTY]

The Black Cats midfielder has cleared the air in the wake of his Capital One Cup final outburst.

Larsson insists his frustration was directed at Martin Atkinson, after the referee ignored claims the Swede had been fouled in the lead-up to Manchester City’s equaliser at the Wearsiders went down 3-1.

Larsson let-rip when he was taken off on the hour, but the 28-year-old said: “My outburst wasn’t directed against any of our staff.

“You’re never happy to be replaced, but I was angry at the referee. I was frustrated because we should have had a free-kick just before the equaliser”

Seb Larsson

“You’re never happy to be replaced, but I was angry at the referee. I was frustrated because we should have had a free-kick just before the equaliser.

“Then City score a second goal and the frustration spills over a little bit.”

Sunderland are set to appoint Lee Congerton as their new director of football.

The Welshman is in line to succeed Roberto De Fanti, who was axed in January after less than seven months in the job.

Former Chelsea chief scout Congerton has been in the frame since Italian De Fanti’s ill-fated spell on Wearside came to an abrupt end.

Poyet combined his duties as head coach with overseeing the club’s player recruitment drive in the interim.